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MINI USA Unveils 2015 MINI Countryman with World Premiere at New York International Auto Show

Wed Apr 16 00:00:00 CEST 2014 Press Kit

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Woodcliff Lake, NJ – April 15, 2014…The model year 2015 MINI Countryman has pursued its path to success both on and off-road. The first MINI with four doors, a large tailgate, five seats and optional all-wheel drive now gives an additional boost to the brand's advance into the premium compact segment. Selective design modifications for the exterior and interior, as well as innovative equipment features contribute to the more mature charisma and increased appeal of the new MINI Countryman. This gives it a more pronounced profile as an all-round talent for versatile mobility and an active lifestyle, both in city traffic and beyond.

Woodcliff Lake, NJ – April 15, 2014…The model year
2015 MINI Countryman has pursued its path to success both on and
off-road. The first MINI with four doors, a large tailgate, five seats
and optional all-wheel drive now gives an additional boost to the
brand's advance into the premium compact segment. Selective design
modifications for the exterior and interior, as well as innovative
equipment features contribute to the more mature charisma and
increased appeal of the new MINI Countryman. This gives it a more
pronounced profile as an all-round talent for versatile mobility and
an active lifestyle, both in city traffic and beyond.

With striking body design accents, refined premium characteristics in
the interior and extensive safety features, the new MINI Countryman
specifically emphasises all the strengths that account for its
exceptional standing within the competitive field. Built at Magna
Steyr in Graz, Austria, the MINI Countryman is now an important pillar
of growth for MINI with 350,000 units already sold worldwide. MINI USA
sold over 62,000 units since the launch in 2010 and the model
represents about 30% of the MINI USA sales volume. The compact model
has everything it takes to attract new target groups to the
characteristic motoring fun and distinctive style of the premium
British brand.

The all-wheel drive system ALL4 specially developed for MINI
continues to be available for the MINI Cooper S Countryman. It comes
as standard with the MINI John Cooper Works Countryman. The top
athlete of the model family also lines up for the start to coincide
with the market launch of the new MINI Countryman in summer 2014.

The distinctive appearance of the MINI Countryman derives from its
dimensions, four doors, large tailgate and specific roof shape as well
as an individual interpretation of the brand's hallmark proportions
and design features.

In the new MINI Countryman, both model-specific and hallmark brand
elements are given additional emphasis. The upright front section
instantly conveys a powerful presence, while a newly designed
structure for the characteristic hexagonal radiator grill now further
underscores this impression. A horizontal radiator grill rib finished
in chrome in the new MINI Cooper S Countryman along with a curved
"S" in red now help give the front view a clear, purist
expression to ensure instant recognition. The front section of the new
MINI John Cooper Works Countryman features a red radiator grill rib
supplemented with the John Cooper Works logo. On the Cooper variant
the radiator grill is now subdivided by two ribs and is finished in
matte silver.

The robust yet versatile character of the new MINI Countryman is also
given intense emphasis. In conjunction with the all-wheel drive system
ALL4, all visual underride guard elements for the front and rear apron
as well as for the side sill area are now included as standard
(exception: MINI John Cooper Works Countryman). These focus more
strikingly on the ground clearance of the MINI Countryman, indicating
its potential for driving fun away from paved roads. They are also
optionally available for front-wheel drive models.

The range of exterior paint finishes has been expanded with the
addition of Jungle Green metallic and Midnight Grey metallic, and
Starlight Blue metallic paint is now available on the MINI Countryman
for the first time.

A contrasting paint finish for the roof and exterior mirror caps in
black or white is available on request and at no extra charge for all
model variants. A contrasting paint finish in red is likewise offered
free of charge exclusively for the new MINI John Cooper Works
Countryman. There are also Sport Stripes and bonnet stripes in a
variety of colors to choose from.

Another customization option available for MINI for the first time is
the new Piano Black Exterior. It comprises a paint finish in
high-gloss black for selected surfaces, thereby providing novel
emphasis not only for the car's characteristic features but also for
the proportions of the MINI Countryman. In addition to the surrounds
of the headlamps and rear lights finished in chrome as standard, a
high-end dark shading is applied to the diagonal links between the A
columns and front wheel arches, the roof rails and the cross-ribs in
the radiator grill of the MINI Cooper Countryman.

New alloy wheels with reduced weight, LED fog lights.

Adaptations to the wheel rim program contribute to increased agility
in the new MINI Countryman. The 17-inch light alloy wheels in the new
5-Star Triangle Spoke Design for the MINI Cooper and Cooper S
Countryman are lighter than their predecessors and give this compact
SAV a rugged look. They are also optionally available in a two-color
design. Another new addition are the LED fog lights with parking and
daytime driving lights in LED - available as an optional extra for the
first time (standard for Cooper S and John Cooper Works models). They
provide an intense, bright white light with a much higher level of
energy efficiency than conventional headlamps. The structure of their
light sources in full LED technology also helps make the front view of
the new MINI Countryman striking and instantly recognizable. This
light can be used to improve visibility in fog and is generated by
three LED units arranged horizontally at the centre of the cluster,
radiated across the entire surface of the headlamp. The daytime
driving light takes the form of a luminous ring fed by 15 LED units.
When the parking lights are switched on, only five LED units are
active in the upper third of the ring.

In the interior of the MINI Countryman, characteristic brand design
features are combined with a highly versatile interior space. The
premium compact model offers five seats as standard along with the
MINI Center Rail attachment system fitted between the driver and front
passenger seat. The MINI Countryman offers a comfortable ride not only
on rough terrain but also over longer distances. Meanwhile expansion
of the luggage compartment from approximately 17.5 to as much as 42.2
cubic feet provides space for luggage, bulkier sports equipment or any
other items that may be required for leisure activities. To this end
the rear seats can be shifted longitudinally by up to five inches,
either together or in a 40 : 60 split. It is also possible to adjust
the tilt of the seats, and the rear backrests can be folded down in a
40 : 20 : 40 split.

Another factor that helps provide a pleasant driving and travel
experience in the new MINI Countryman is its acoustic comfort, which
has also been further enhanced. The displays and controls have been
redesigned so as to enhance the car's sporty flair and premium
character. All model variants of the new MINI Countryman now have
anthracite-colored dials for the engine speed and road speed display
in the style of the MINI John Cooper Works Countryman, whose central
instrument now also bears the John Cooper Works logo. The standard
trim of the new MINI Countryman also includes chrome applications for
the ventilation controls.

ALL4 all-wheel drive for increased driving fun and maximum traction.

The all-wheel drive system ALL4 specially developed for MINI is
optionally available as an alternative to the brand's characteristic
front-wheel drive for the MINI Cooper S Countryman. The system is
based on an electromagnetic center differential and distributes drive
force at continuously variable levels between the front and rear axle.

The ALL4 electronic management system integrated directly in the DSC
unit enables power transmission to be altered as required, responding
within milliseconds.

All-wheel drive comes as standard with the MINI John Cooper Works
Countryman. In this way, the supreme power of its 208 hp turbo engine
is transferred to all four wheels so as to ensure maximum traction,
ride stability and sporty flair on bends at all time. All engines are
combined with a 6-speed manual transmission as standard. An optional
6-gear automatic transmission is available for all model variants.
Shift paddles for manual selection of drive position are standard for
Cooper S and John Cooper Works models. All models come standard with a
Sport Button which allows more direct steering and accelerator response.

In conjunction with the automatic transmission, pressing the Sport
Button also results in changes to the shift points. In the new MINI
Cooper S Countryman this also triggers a particularly striking, sporty
engine sound.

The integrated safety concept of the MINI Countryman guarantees
outstanding occupant protection. Its extensive standard features in
the area of active and passive safety led to a Top Safety Pick reward
by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the past
three years (2011-2013) and is expected to perform well in 2014 testing.

The standard trim of the MINI Countryman also includes daytime
driving lights and tire pressure control. Constant measurement of
pressure on each individual tire means that the driver is given an
early warning of potential loss in each tire.

The remaining standard equipment of the new MINI Countryman is also
at a high level, including a multifunction steering wheel with cruise
control, automatic climate control, rain sensor, MINI Center Rail
between the front seats and a high-end radio system comprising CD
player with MP3 capability, USB port and five speakers. In addition
there is a model-specific range of special equipment and accessories
to choose from. The high-quality options include xenon headlamps and
adaptive turning light, comfort access, panorama glass roof, Park
Distance Control (PDC), MINI navigation system, voice control, Harman
Kardon hi-fi speaker system and model-specific John Cooper Works accessories.

Another special highlight within the segment of the new MINI
Countryman is the wide range of MINI Connected functions for use in
conjunction with Radio MINI Visual Boost and the MINI navigation
system. It offers extensive integration of smartphones in the car,
allowing the use of internet-based services in the areas of
infotainment, communication and driver experience. These are provided
via apps whose functional diversity is being continuously expanded.
There are vehicle-related functions such as Mission Control, Dynamic
Music, Driving Excitement and MINIMALISM Analyzer as well as various
online-based services. Current functions available include web radio,
the use of social networks such as Facebook, Twitter, foursquare and
Glympse, RSS news feed reception and entertainment programs such as
Pandora, Stitcher, Audible, Rhapsody and TuneIn. Operation is
intuitive and reflects hallmark MINI style by means of a joystick in
the center console and the on-board computer in the central instrument.

About MINI in the USMINI is an independent brand of the BMW Group. In the United
States, MINI USA operates as a business unit of BMW of North America,
LLC, located in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey and includes the marketing
and sales organizations for the MINI brand. The MINI USA sales
organization is represented in the U.S. through a network of 119 MINI
passenger car dealers in 38 states. MINI USA began selling vehicles in
the U.S. in 2002 with the introduction of the MINI Cooper and MINI
Cooper S Hardtops. Since then, the MINI Brand in the U.S. has grown to
encompass a model range of seven unique vehicles.

Journalist notes: Media information about MINI and
its products is available to journalists on-line at www.miniusanews.com.

Consumer information about MINI products is available via the
internet at: www.MINIUSA.com.

CO2 emission information.

Fuel consumption figures based on the EU test cycle, may vary depending on the tyre format specified. Further information on official fuel consumption figures, specific CO2 emission values and the electric power consumption of new passenger cars is included in the “Guideline for fuel consumption, CO2 emissions and electric power consumption of new passenger cars", which can be obtained from dealerships and here as PDF.

Further News for: MINI Countryman

Related Video Content.

Fuel consumption figures based on the EU test cycle, may vary depending on the tyre format specified. Further information on official fuel consumption figures, specific CO2 emission values and the electric power consumption of new passenger cars is included in the “Guideline for fuel consumption, CO2 emissions and electric power consumption of new passenger cars", which can be obtained from dealerships and here as PDF.